[Extract]

At four this Afternoon I was agreeably surprized with the Sight of Brig: Gen: Prescott & the Officers taken with him from on Board the Vessels, Inclose You the several Returns² sent me by General Montgomery, who was so hurryed with his Preparations for descending to Quebec, that he could not find Time to send me the Terms which he gave Prescott. ー

I am happy to learn by the Gentlemen of the Committee³ who arrived here at seven this Evening that Congress has Ordered the Prisoners to Pensylvania, as those still here and on their Way from Montreal will not be able to go down Hudson's River in Vessels, I propose sending them to Ulster County for the present as the Expence of Wheel Carriages runs very high And that they may be moved thence in Sleds at a much Cheaper Rate as soon as we have a Fall of Snow. ー

General Carlton stole from on Board the Vessels with six Canadians & dressed like one of them, in this Disguise he Hopes to get into Quebec, But if he does the Weather has been so severe That I trust he will not be able to leave It. And then he must fall into our Hands, In the Course of this Winter, if not immediately.

I find that it is the Intention of the New York Congress that the Troops raised in that Colony shou[ld] pay for their Under Clothes that were given them I cannot learn that the Troops expected to have any Thing stopped out of their Wages on that Account, [The] greatest Part of them are now in Canada, & I fear that few of them will remain in the Service, if that should be the case, ー I could wish therefore for the immediate Determination of Congress on this Head. I am Sir [&c.]